My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her

is so

she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake

the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake, what should we

the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately

sing the ‘Happy

Rachel must close her eyes and make a

must blow out the

that there was no need to go to

he still lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on any of

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud,

look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even

the gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish.

say thank you!” their parents

their paper plates, the children raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and the whole

finally smiled

courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and

I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s expression was dull and

and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm since you have a

she turned and headed

she was inside her apartment and about to

door was propped open by a large

his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar on it.

out on business? she

he slid sideways into the house and shut the door before surveying the

“I see you’ve been

steps back. Why

her as he pulled off his necktie

unmelting icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful days, would

by step he approached her, forcing her back inch by

idea what she did

arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all the way to